Family Devastated By Turnpike Trailer Fire

The Collier family said they lost everything after their flatbed trailer caught fire on the Kilpatrick Turnpike near May Avenue in Oklahoma City. 

They were traveling Friday from Colorado to begin a new opportunity in Oklahoma City.

“That morning, we were laughing that we're almost home,” Charles Collier said.

The Colliers were living in a town just outside of Denver, but Charles recently new experienced medical problems. He said the altitude didn't help.

“Oklahoma seemed to be where I could actually breathe and it was,” Collier said. “I was excited.”

In addition to the career opportunity, Charles and his wife, Kathy, decided to move closer to family and friends in Oklahoma. 

It was a 10-hour drive that took them two days. As they turned onto the Kilpatrick Turnpike, another driver tried to grab their attention.

They only had five miles left to go.

“We was (sic) right beside this semi and he honked his horn and was pointing at our trailer and I look back and I could see a little bit of smoke,” Charles Collier said.

“I looked in the mirror and my heart just sank,” Kathy Collier said. “There was the smoke.”

When the Colliers pulled over, they tried to do what they could to salvage their belongings, but the flames grew larger.

“It's like one minute you have everything and then it's gone,” Kathy Collier said.

Oklahoma City firefighters arrived on scene, but it was too late. The Colliers said they lost everything they collected over their 24-year marriage from furniture to keepsakes.

“We have basically the shirts on our backs,” Charles Collier said. “A couple of changes of clothes that was in the pickup and our dog.”

The Colliers are staying at a friend’s house for now and will work to get back on their feet. Though much was lost, the Colliers are thankful no one was hurt.

“I thank God every second I breathe that I have my wife Kathy,” Charles Collier said.

It's uncertain what caused the fire. Officials are still investigating.